Shutdown to affect Christmas shopping in a positive way

WASHINGTON – The dent the partial government shutdown put in the economy will likely affect holiday shopping, but it could be a very good thing for consumers.

Retailers are expected to move aggressively to lure in increasingly careful and cash-strapped shoppers. That’s because 40 percent of consumers cut down on their spending during the shutdown, NBC News reports.

In response, stores will try to draw people in with more doorbuster sales before Black Friday. For online purchases, more companies are expected to match competitors’ prices and offer free shipping.

If early sales don’t drum up business, even bigger discounts could be offered leading up to Christmas.

Kathy Grannis, a spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation expects shoppers to spend slightly less on holiday gifts this year. Follow @WTOP on Twitter.